Question 1. Is the burn painful?Yes. The burn is probably a first or second degree
burn. First degree of the skin damage is superficial. Second degree
if the burn has deeper skin damage. More
InformationNo. The burn if NOT painful, appears white, and
has THICK skin damage may be a Third Degree burn. See your physican.

Question 2. Is the burn swollen?Yes. The burn if slightly swollen and red is probably
a first degree burn. This is a "superficial" skin injury.
More InformationNo. The burn has moderate to severe pain and swelling
it is probable a second degree burn. If the burn has blisters, redness,
and a splochy appearance it is probably a second degree burn. If
not localized to a small area of 2-3 inches see a physician immediately.

Question 3. Is the burn white or black in color?Yes. The burn may be a third degree burn where
all layers of skin have been severely burned. Skin pain may not
be present as skins nerve endings have died. If in doubt see a physician
immediately or call 911. More InformationNo. The burn, if blistering and pain is present
and a skin layer still exists, it is probably not a third degree
burn. If in doubt see a physician.

Question 4. Is fat tissue, muscle or bone showing?Yes. The burn is probably a third degree burn.
This type of burn will not heal properly without skin graphs. Risk
of infection is very high. See a physician immediately. More
InformationNo. The burn may still be a third degree burn.
If all three layers of skin have been burned or if you do not feel
moderate to severe pain on the burn area it is probably a third
degree burn. If in doubt see a physician.

Question 5. Does the skin burn look infected?Yes. The burn may be infected it continues to ooze,
smells, is not healing, or has red streaks radiating away from the
burn injury. See a physician immediately. More
InformationNo. The burn is probably not infected and should
heal with proper care. Always monitor the skin for signs of infection.

Question 6. Do you feel sick? (nauseous, headache,
weak, fever, ache, stiff neck, short of breath, body ache)Yes. See a physician immediately. More
InformationNo. It may be a second or third degree burn requiring
immediate medical attention. If in doubt See a physician immediately.

Burn Types

First
Degree Burn

Superficial - First degree burns
typically take 3 to 6 days to heal. The superficial or first
layer of skin is damaged.
Examples of a superficial - First degree burns are: mild sunburns,
contact burn injuries, or heat burns.

Second
Degree Burn

Superficial - Second degree
burns usually heal in less than 3 weeks depending on severity.
The deeper or thicker
the burned skin the longer the injury make take to heal.

Third
Degree Burn

Deep - Third degree burns are
severe and may require skin graphs and a protracted recovery
period - more than 3 weeks. Full-thickness burns, without skin
grafts, heal only at the edges by scarring. A skin graft is
a very thin layer of skin that is cut from an unburned area
on the body and put on a badly burned area.

Step 3.
Burn Treatment

What
can I do?

Minor Burn Injury

1. Soak
the burn in cool water for 15 minutes.
2. Apply cool cloth to the burn for a few minutes each day.
3. Apply Burn Rx (see below) to the burn and
cover it with a dressing or bandage.
4. Re-apply burn with Burn Rx to promote healing.
5. Apply topical antibiotic to the burn to prevent infection
if necessary.
6. If necessary, take over-the-counter pain medication to control
pain.
7. If burn pain, redness, swelling persists or if there are
signs of infection see a physician.

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